Excerpt from The Crocodile’s Treason
South African Folktale

Crocodile was, in the days when animals still could talk, the acknowledged foreman of all water creatures and if one should judge from appearances one would say that he still is. But in those days it was his especial duty to have a general care of all water animals, and when one year it was exceedingly dry, and the water of the river where they had lived dried up and became scarce, he was forced to make a plan to trek over to another river a short distance from there

What effect is accomplished by the author's choice to begin the story with this paragraph?
A) It introduces the reader to the entire cast of characters who will appear in the story.
B) It introduces the reader to the character of Crocodile, and emphasizes his particular importance in the story.
C) It introduces the natural setting of the story in great detail.
D) It showcases the Crocodile's essential lack of authority and control.